Search This Blog

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Pray for the Saints: Nigeria

I think these articles speak for themselves. Please pray for the continued faith and strength of the persecuted.

Written on March 17, 2010
In the latest religious clash in Plateau State, ethnic Fulani Muslims attacked three predominantly Christian farming villages near Jos, killing about 500 people.
Assist News reports that in the early morning of March 7, attackers descended on the villages, doused roofs with gasoline and burned about 75 homes while shouting "Allah Akbar." As villagers fled their burning homes, they were shot and butchered by the waiting Muslims. Those unable to flee - the sick, the elderly, children and mothers caring for children - were most vulnerable.
Plateau State is a predominantly Christian state in a country almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. The Muslim minority has been contesting control of some parts of the state, leading to frequent clashes, according to Compass Direct News.
State Information Commissioner Gregory Yenlong confirmed that the attacks took place mainly in Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Rastat villages.

Please Pray!

Reports from Nigeria indicate that some survivors, mainly youth, are calling for revenge against the Muslims. Pray that God will intervene to stop this cycle of violence. Pray that those who lost loved ones or were injured will be comforted by the peace of Christ and that the Nigerian government will begin to protect Christians.
Pray also for the Nigerian Muslims, that their eyes will be opened so that they might turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to the kingdom of God.

Written August 11, 2010

At least four women, a man, boy and a girl were murdered on July 17 in Maza village, near the Nigerian city of Jos, according to Assist News Service. The death toll from this brutal attack is estimated at 10, including the wife, two children and grandson of a local pastor. The ambush occurred around 2 a.m., and the attackers were identified as nomadic Fulani herdsmen. They were seen to be armed with guns, cutlasses, bows and arrows, which they used to attack unsuspecting residents.
According to journalists, Chika Otuchikere and Gonji Palang, "Their attack on the Maza village was ruthless. Along with an estimated 10 dead, the Fulani herdsmen burned down houses and places of worship, such as the Church of Christ. Reverend Nuhu Dawat was the pastor of this church and he is grieving the loss of his wife and two children."
Muslim Fulani herdsmen were responsible for previous massacres of Christians near Jos earlier this year, leaving hundreds dead and injured.

Please Pray!

Ask the Lord to pour out His Spirit in and around Jos so that peace may be restored. Pray for the salvation of the Fulani herdsmen and that Christians will maintain their focus on Christ and not retaliation. Pray that the Christians will not grow weary or lose heart in this hostile environment created by the attackers, but that they will be a witness of Christ's love and forgiveness.
VOM supports hundreds of Nigerian pastors who continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ despite persecution. VOM also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked by Muslim extremists.